"To be the wife of a genius is a notoriously difficult role, but even by this exacting standard, Sophia Tolstoy led an extraordinarily demanding life. Like other aristocratic Russian women of her era, she was expected to be a dedicated helpmate, a devoted mother, and the doyenne of the family estate; unlike, most of her contemporaries, however, she was married to a man who was not only one of the towering figures of world literature, but also a controversial figure in the turmoil of pre-revolutionary Russia. Sophia herself was a deeply religious and traditional wife, but also daringly rebellious and remarkably modern. From her position in a bygone era she took on issues we are still dealing with today." "Sophia bore Leo Tolstoy 13 children, of whom eight survived into adulthood. She copied and redacted his voluminous work in longhand and often far into the night. For 48 years she alternated between passion for her husband and profound exasperation with his impetuous impracticality, his imperious self-absorption, and his idealistic but extreme social views." "In addition to her daily burdens, Sophia Tolstoy found time for photography.

The remarkable - and never before published - collection of 180 photographs at the heart of this book bears witness to her talent. She also kept a detailed journal of her intimate reflections. These pages provide a portrait of an extraordinary woman. Through her we see quintessentially Russian places, and personages from Tolstoy himself, with his high boots and iconic beard, to his enormous and diverse family, to the famous and humble people who visited them, and finally to Yasnaya Polyana, the beloved landscape where so many important scenes from this unforgettable union unfolded."--BOOK JACKET.